Canada and international partners launch the Coronavirus Global Response

Canada and international partners launch the Coronavirus Global Response

PM JUSTIN TRUDEAU

May 4, 2020

COVID-19 is a global pandemic, spread by a virus that knows no borders. No country will be able to fully recover until we beat it all around the world. We must work together, and Canada is contributing to this fight. Canadian and international researchers are racing to develop diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines that will save lives, protect the health and safety of people everywhere, and lay the groundwork for a sustainable worldwide economic recovery.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today joined other global leaders to launch the Coronavirus Global Response. This online pledging event aims to initially raise more than $8 billion (USD) to help researchers and innovators develop solutions to test, treat, and protect people, and to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

The Prime Minister highlighted that, to date, the Government of Canada has announced investments of over $850 million (CAD) that support this fundraising target. This includes funding to:

• mobilize Canadian researchers’ and life sciences companies’ coronavirus research and development of medical countermeasures;

• support accelerated vaccine development, including through the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and other partners;

• find a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 through the World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Trial;

• coordinate a COVID-19 viral and host genome sequencing effort across Canada;

• help provide COVID-19 diagnostic support to more than 20 partner countries; and

• create strategies to tackle misinformation, stigma, and fear.

In today’s interconnected world, the global health system relies on the strength of all regions to ensure a sustainable global recovery. That is why the government is providing funding to support some of the world’s most vulnerable populations, and working with international partners as they coordinate and prioritize response efforts in vulnerable countries. We are aiming to maximize global benefits from these investments, and we are committed to helping to ensure that once a vaccine is developed, it will be produced at a scale and cost accessible to all countries.

The Government of Canada is committed to a robust global effort to stop COVID-19 and address its devastating health, social, and economic impacts on people across the world. We will work together with our partners to end this pandemic and to build a safe and prosperous future for everyone.

(PRESS RELEASE)